Driver killed in head-on bus crash at Chester-le-Street

Mar 4 2010 The Journal

Paul said: “I just heard this huge bang while I was working in the field, so I ran over and saw the two buses had crashed into each other.

“I went to the other bus and could see the driver was having difficulty breathing, so I dived over and climbed on. I just wanted to help keep him alive.”

That bus had just pulled out from a stop and was making its way down the hill when it was involved in a collision with the coach, which was empty apart from the driver.

Police Chief Inspector for Durham and Chester-le-Street Colin Williams said the cause of the crash was still unknown.

He said: “This was a serious road traffic accident between two buses. Sadly one of the drivers has died. Our thoughts are with his family The other driver has also been injured.

“This appears to be a tragic accident and we are continuing to deal with it at the moment. The road will remain closed while we conduct our investigation.”

The road was closed for more than three hours while salvage crews removed the wreckage.

Group manager John Robson, from Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said rescue teams had been unable to reach the driver, who was still conscious when they arrived.

He said: “We worked closely with the air ambulance and paramedics to work out how we could get the driver out of the bus. It was felt taking him out on a stretcher would cause him least pain.”

A spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance said: “We were notified of a serious road traffic collision near Chester-le-Street and asked to attend to treat casualties.

“One of our doctors travelled with a road ambulance crew to Newcastle General Hospital with the injured driver from the coach.

“Our aircraft was used to transfer a 70-year-old bus passenger to James Cook Hospital, where he has been treated for an injury to his pelvis.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the driver who died at this time and the other casualties. as they recover.”